Halloween safety tips

For more

For more tips and ideas to keep yourself and your family safe during this fun time of year, as well as tips for motorists during Halloween, contact the Crime Prevention Unit or visit the National Safety Council at www.nsc.org/news_resources/Resources/Documents/Halloween_Safety.pdf.

If parents are unavailable, have a responsible adult accompany young children.

Establish a return time for unsupervised children.

Map the children's route with them, in case you need to find them for some reason.

Use flashlights.

Wear costumes that are bright and reflective, fit well and are short enough to prevent tripping. Make sure any masks have eye and mouth holes large enough to see out of and breathe through.

Instruct children to cross streets at crosswalks only and to walk, not run, from house to house.

Teach children never to enter a stranger's home or apartment, especially if they are trick-or-treating unsupervised.

Encourage your child to save all his or her candy to eat until you can both look at it together.

Look over the candy collected and discard anything that may look suspicious. Keep an eye out for strange wrappers and cut all fruit into small pieces before serving to children. When in doubt, throw it out.